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Murphy blogs every month over on Banjo Hangout and we will be cross-posting these blogs so they'll be all here in one place. This was originally published Monday, September 30, 2013.

Now that we've got the "by ear" question out of the way (non-believers notwithstanding!) (it was last months' blog post...), let's look further into the method behind my madness (or vice versa!). It's not enough to simply learn by ear--you've got to have some "method and order" to your learning. And that's where the Murphy Method comes in. I've done your homework for you. I've been teaching banjo for over 40 years now and I have a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn't.

First of all, if you're new to the banjo, you need to start simple. And simple does not mean a dumbed-down version of Blackberry Blossom. (Don't get me started on Blackberry Blossom! Okay, I already got me started--we'll talk about that later.) The Big Three in the Murphy Method are Banjo in the Hollow, Cripple Creek, and Boil Them Cabbage Down. Why these three and not three others? Mainly because they are easy to play, sound good slow, and are well known in bluegrass circles. They are also "tried and true." I know they work because I see my students playing them! ...continue reading →

So, you’ve been playing banjo for a couple of years now. Or maybe like some industrious students you’ve been playing for a year and a half or so. You’ve been through Beginning Banjo Vol 1, Misfits, and Vamping. You can play all the songs on these DVDs and you can vamp to them. If you followed the beginning banjo "Jam Session Track" you can also roly poly to all the songs on Kickstart Your Jamming (and hopefully most other three-chord songs) and you can use these breaks in jams. Where do you go from here?

Here is the list of tunes I usually use, in the order that I usually use them, followed by the DVD they are on. Remember to learn the vamping at the same time as you learn the break.

Learning the chords to these tunes and being able to vamp to them is also a must! And after that, you should be ready for the Advanced Track! More about that some other time.

And if you haven't already done this: The DVD Capos, Chords, and Theory offers a wealth of information about how to use the capo in all keys, the names of all the vamp chords on the banjo neck and how to find them, and just a touch of easily understandable theory that assumes you know nothing about theory to start with! You can start watching and learning from this DVD at any time during your Beginning Track. And you’ll probably find that the more you learn from playing the banjo, the more you will be able to learn from this DVD. In other words, it’s a DVD you can return to time and time again and learn more each time.

As one of our students said recently, “Just want to express how very helpful this DVD is to me. I have had ‘dribs and drabs’ of this info from different teachers and I usually came away totally confused. Your presentation on this DVD all makes sense now and I finally get it!” Thank you, Sue!

Thoughts on songs chosen and songs left out:

Salt Creek: You'll notice Salt Creek did not make this list. I mostly don't teach it anymore, not because the break is too hard, but because the chords are too hard, even for intermediate jammers. It is totally optional.

Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms: Has got that great “Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arm” lick in it. That lick will continue to come up in almost as many songs as the tag lick! In particular, it comes up in When the Roll is Called Up Yonder and I’ll Fly Away and is one of the best improvising licks ever. (Note: Mama Don’t Allow, on the Improv DVD, has the exact same break as Roll. No need to go through it twice!)

You should definitely do these songs in the order they are presented on the DVD. I’ve finally realized that, yes, I was right all along and that you should not skip around. Or leave any of these songs out. (Grin!) Yes, I know they all sound alike. But I assure you, there is method in my madness and each song builds on the previous one and usually includes at least one new important lick.

All these songs are at an early Intermediate Level and do not have to be learned in order. You can pick and choose. I’d stay away from the Ballad of Jed Clampett right now unless absolutely necessary! That is one hard song, even with our minor adjustments for ease in learning.

Exceptions to the Rules:

If you are in a jamming situation (or even a band!) where certain tunes are being played that are taught on these DVDs, then I’d say the heck with the list—full speed ahead on whatever the group is playing. These are the tunes you’ll be playing most often. For instance, if you are playing in a church or doing the nursing home circuit, you might learn I’ll Fly Away, When the Roll is Called Up Yonder, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, and Will the Circle Be Unbroken from the Amazing Grace DVD. Naturally, the more foundation you lay before you tackle these, the easier they will be.

Hope this helps. If you’ve had success in learning tunes in a different order, tell us about it! I’m always looking for a better way to teach.